The Curse of La Llorona (2019) – Movie Review

The Curse of La Llorona is a supernatural horror film directed by Michael Chaves, set in the expanding Conjuring universe. The movie centers around the famous Latin American legend of La Llorona, or “The Weeping Woman,” a ghostly figure cursed to roam the earth after drowning her own children. The film offers an eerie take on this folklore, blending traditional horror elements with the supernatural mythos that fans of the Conjuring franchise have come to expect

Plot Overview:

The story takes place in 1970s Los Angeles, where social worker Anna Tate-Garcia (played by Linda Cardellini) becomes entangled in the curse of La Llorona after investigating a troubled family. Soon after, Anna and her children are haunted by the vengeful spirit, who seeks to claim her children as replacements for her own. As the haunting escalates, Anna turns to a local priest and a former priest-turned-shaman, Rafael Olvera (Raymond Cruz), for help in protecting her family.

Strengths:

1. Atmosphere and Cinematography: The film excels at creating a foreboding atmosphere. The dark lighting, shadowy visuals, and jump-scare tactics immerse the audience in tension, keeping viewers on edge.
2. La Llorona’s Design: The portrayal of La Llorona is haunting, with her appearance—a skeletal, ghostly woman in a white dress—capturing the essence of the terrifying folk legend.
3. Performances: Linda Cardellini delivers a solid performance as the worried mother, and Raymond Cruz’s portrayal of the quirky but effective shaman adds a unique layer of depth to the cast

Weaknesses:

1. Predictable Scares: Although the film delivers a few effective jump scares, it heavily relies on horror clichés, which diminishes the overall impact for seasoned horror fans. The pacing of the scares becomes predictable, leading to a somewhat formulaic approach.
2. Thin Storyline: The film follows a fairly standard haunted-family plot, without deeply exploring the rich folklore behind La Llorona. The backstory of the curse and its emotional weight could have been more fully developed.
3. Missed Potential in World-Building: As part of The Conjuring universe, there’s potential to tie La Llorona more deeply into the established lore. However, the connections to the rest of the universe are minimal, which leaves this film feeling somewhat disconnected from the broader mythology.

Verdict:

The Curse of La Llorona is a decent addition to The Conjuring universe for those seeking quick scares and an atmospheric horror experience. It lacks the depth and complexity of other films in the franchise but offers a chilling take on the folklore of La Llorona. While it may not stand out among the best in supernatural horror, it serves as an entertaining watch for fans of the genre.

Rating: 6.5/10